Customer Reviews
9th grade book review 
2008-03-31
Ponyboy Curtis is the narrator of The Outsiders. He tells us the rivalry between two across town gangs, the Greasers and Socs. At first, being a Greaser, he only has one image of the Socs, wealthy kids with no problems to deal with. But after a fight was taken to far, everything changed. Ponyboy realizes that maybe things aren't always what they seem. Throughout this novel we listen as Ponyboy deals with rumbles, a bossy older brother, school, and the Socs, and watch him grow from it.
Darry Curtis is the unofficial leader of the Greasers, who are known for their long, greasy hair. The personalities and characteristics range in this gang. There's Ponyboy who stays out of trouble and does well in school, and then there's Dally who robs stores for fun and has been locked up numerous times. Sodapop is happy-go-lucky and loves life. Lastly there's Johnny. Johnny comes from an abusive family and as a result he's very shy and fearful. The Greasers became his new family and look out for him. Johnny's a good person and becomes an important character.
As you will see throughout the novel loyalty is a major theme. No matter how much trouble they're in, the Greasers always stick together. Leadership is another. Darry posses many leadership qualities. He's the leader of the gang, but also after his parents died in a car crash, he was forced to take responsibility and provide for his to brothers Ponyboy and Sodapop. A last theme is class change. The Socs and Greasers only see each other one way, rich kids and white trash. But after a character opens up to Ponyboy and shows that there's more to being a Soc than he thinks, the image starts to change. The gangs do not become friends in the end, but they do learn more about each other and broaden their image.
I liked this book because it kept me wanting to read more. There was plenty of action and I enjoyed it. I think a lot of other students would like it too because they will be able to relate to it. I'm sure most students are not in gangs but the Socs can relate to the popular kids in school who everyone thinks are perfect with no problems, and the Greasers are the kids who are picked on. I would recommend The Outsiders.
9th grade book review 2008-03-31
The Outsiders, written by S.E. Hinton, took place in the life of 14 year old Ponyboy Michael Curtis, who was part of the gang known as The Greasers. The Greasers were from the East Part of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and were generally surrounded by poverty. The nickname, The Greasers, was given to them from the one thing they took pride in, their hair! The boys' had long hair that was slicked back with hair grease. The Greasers had one enemy, a rival group called The Socs; a shortened form of the word Socials. The Socs were from the West Part of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and were rich and popular. The Socs were raised in good neighborhoods and were known to have fancy cars and beer blasts for no reason.
Ponyboy's life was great until a car accident occurred killing both of his parents. Ponyboy had to live with his two brothers, 20 year old Darrel (Darry) Shaynne Curtis, and 16 year old Sodapop Patrick Curtis. Pony was the youngest of the brothers and the protagonist of the book. Pony was smart and unlike the other Greasers, he liked school. Pony was good at school and didn't like to cause trouble in his classes. Ponyboy liked sunsets, and wanted to live in the country where there was no labels; just people. Pony was very close to his brother Soda and thought his oldest brother Darry hated him and wanted Pony to be in a boys home away from him. Darry was Pony's oldest brother who was very strict and cared for Pony's well being. Darry was tall broad-shouldered and muscular. Darry wanted to go to college but because the accident he was forced to work and take care of his brothers. Darry was an athlete at school and his name was commonly known throughout school. Darry kept his hair unlike any other Greaser; which was short. Pony knew Darry didn't belong with the Greasers and he could be a Soc, the only thing holding him back was his loyalty to his brothers. Sodapop was the middle brother of the Curtis family he had "Movie-Star good looks." Soda was happy-go-lucky, and was very carefree. Soda had a girlfriend named Sandy, who later moves away to Florida. Soda loved Sandy and thought she could be his one true love until she moved.
The rest of The Greasers included Johnny Cade 16, Dallas Winston-17, Keith (Two-Bit) Matthews-18, Steve Randle-17, and Tim Shepard who was 18. "If you can picture a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers, you'll have Johnny," says Ponyboy. Johnny was raised in a home with no love, just anger and violence. Johnny was often beat by his parents and stayed with the Curtis family a lot. Johnny had black fearful eyes, which become even more fearful when he was jumped by a Soc and severely beaten by someone with rings. Johnny's face has scars from the beating. Johnny never walked alone and carried around a six-inch switchblade in his back pocket from then on forward. Johnny is considered everyone's kid brother whom they all protect and love. Dallas Winston who was fondly referred to as Dally, not to be confused to with Darry. Dally is considered very dangerous and very tough. Dally robbed stores, jumped little kids, and hit on girls frequently. Dally is rude and tough to everyone but Johnny. Two-Bit is the joker of the gang. He always had a smile on his face and lived for action, just like Soda. He loved fighting, his switchblade, and blondes.
The Greasers and Socs were rivals but Pony made friends with two Soc girls whose names are Sherri (Cherry) Valance and Marcia. Bob Sheldon, one of the Socs is dating Cherry and often jumps Greasers.
The story was mainly about the struggles in the lives of the Greasers and the mischief they get into. When Pony and Johnny committed a crime killing someone, to save Pony's life, they go to Dally for help. Dally told the boys to go to an abandoned church. The boys go to the church and stay there undercover for a while. They needed to stay away from the cops. The boys cut and bleached their hair to hide their identities so they will not be caught by the police. While at the church, the boys became heroes as they saved a few children's lives. Johnny became hurt doing this good deed and ended up in the hospital. Pony was caught and had to go to court for the crime he committed. The penalty was being put into a boys home.
No matter what, the Greasers stayed loyal to each other. Over the course of the whole book loyalty became one of the main themes. The only thing that kept The Greasers together was the loyalty that they had for each other. When Johnny committed the crime, Pony didn't leave him. Instead Pony went to the church with Johnny and tried to take the blame for him.
Another theme in the book was friendship. In court Darry and Soda are asked how their friendship with Dally is, because he had a criminal record. Both boys didn't deny being friends with Dally instead they said they were like brothers. This proved that they did not care what people thought of their friends because that was one of the only things they had left.
Social groups was another theme in this novel. The two groups The Greasers and The Socs both have their share fair of problems. In the beginning of the novel Pony tells you how The Socs have the perfect lives; and have no worries. Throughout the story you realize that The Socs have just as many problems as The Greasers. Bob Sheldon, being one of The Socs is spoiled rotten and is never disciplined. Through the story you find out that all Bob wanted was some discipline but never got it, his parents always blamed themselves for what ever he did wrong.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read. The book was fast reading and easy to understand. Even though the book is old, the emotions and the over all feel of the book are still relatable to this day. The plot of the story makes you want to laugh, cry, and jump all at the same time. The characters were fun and rebellious; making the book hard to even put down. I read this book in a ninth grade English class where we read each day chapter by chapter. I can honestly say I finished this book before the class did because I wanted to know what happened next.
Give me more Soda Pop 2008-03-16
Soda is different, different from anybody; he understands everything, almost... He's always happy-go-lucky and grinning..." said Ponyboy as he walked from the movie theater.
When ever anybody asks me who my favorite character is I always say without thinking Soda Pop Curtis from The Outsiders, written by S.E. Hinton. Soda Pop is a very sensitive sixteen year old boy. Soda's sensitive side shows when he gets a letter in the mail from his girlfriend saying that her parents wouldn't allow her to marry a gang member, Soda Pop. Another time when Soda is sensitive is when Ponyboy, his brother, runs away. Soda Pop cried for 2 nights straight.
I think Soda Pop has the right to be emotional because his parents died in a car accident, the Socs never leave him and his gang alone and when his brothers, Ponyboy and Darry fight he is always the middle man, like a tug-a-war match. Soda Pop's sensitivity is what makes him my favorite character.
Give me more Soda Pop 2008-03-16
Soda is different, different from anybody; he understands everything, almost... He's always happy-go-lucky and grinning..." said Ponyboy as he walked from the movie theater.
When ever anybody asks me who my favorite character is I always say without thinking Soda Pop Curtis from The Outsiders, written by S.E. Hinton. Soda Pop is a very sensitive sixteen year old boy. Soda's sensitive side shows when he gets a letter in the mail from his girlfriend saying that her parents wouldn't allow her to marry a gang member, Soda Pop. Another time when Soda is sensitive is when Ponyboy, his brother, runs away. Soda Pop cried for 2 nights straight.
I think Soda Pop has the right to be emotional because his parents died in a car accident, the Socs never leave him and his gang alone and when his brothers, Ponyboy and Darry fight he is always the middle man, like a tug-a-war match. Soda Pop's sensitivity is what makes him my favorite character.
The Outsiders 2008-03-10
Have you ever read The Outsiders before?I have and man was I vexed
when the book came to halt.It just popped up with such bewildering events,describing details,and fantastic characters that I just couldn't put the book down.
If you're up for something bewildering, you can always count on The Outsiders. When you start reading the first page, you can't help but to become interested.Then you start getting reluctant to put the book down, until you just read and understand everything.It just gets better and better, once you read chapter by chapter.
When it comes to detail, you can always look up to The Outsiders
for an example.Each word in every sentence has such describing details that you can see the moving images inside your head.Sometimes,each paragraph with another event and character, makes you feel as if you're a character yourself who watches everything happen,as you read the book.As when there was a rumble between the Socs and the Greasers or when Pony and Darrel got in a fight. You can just feel the tension!
The greatest thing I love about the story of Pony,the Greasers
and the Socs,were the characters!Each character was different in their own way, with their own attitude that helped the story move along.I rooted each character until the very end.
Even though I have read every phenomenon event,every describing
paragraph,and the chapter that told me what happened to the characters, I
still feel as if I'm attached and being pulled to the exciting story of The Outsiders.
The Outsiders 2008-01-18
First published by Viking in 1967,
The Outsiders immediately resonated with young adults. This groundbreaking novel was like nothing else out there—it was honest and gritty, and was a deeply sympathetic portrayal of Ponyboy, a young man who finds himself on the outside of regular society. Forty years later, with over thirteen million copies sold, the story is as fresh and powerful to teenagers today as it ever was.
Celebrate the fortieth anniversary of a classic with this stunning edition, featuring the original cover.
